Larry Rudell Ellis
General, U.S. Army

Larry Rudell Ellis was born in 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Morgan State University in 1969. As a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at MSU, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army after graduation.

During his career, Ellis had assignments in the U.S., Vietnam, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Bosnia, and Herzegovina. His command assignments include 1st Armored Division, Germany; Multinational Division (North), Bosnia and Herzegovina; Assistant Division Commander, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea; Brigade Commander, 3rd Infantry Division, Germany; Battalion Commander, 5th Infantry Division, Fort Polk, LA; Company Commander, 101st Airborne Division, Vietnam; and 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC.

His staff assignments have included Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters, Department of the Army; Assistant Chief of Staff, C-3/J-3/G-3, United Nations Command/ Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea/Eighth U.S. Army, Korea; Deputy Director for Strategic Planning and Policy, Headquarters, U.S. Pacific Command, Hawaii; Deputy Director, Military Personnel Management, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Headquarters, Department of the Army; Force Structure Analyst and Chief, Manpower and Force Structure Division, Program Analysis and Evaluation Directorate, Office of Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Department of the Army; Staff Officer, Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe, Germany; Staff and Faculty, U.S. Military Academy, West Point; Battalion Staff Officer, 101st Airborne Division, Vietnam; and Battalion Operations Officer, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg.

After completing his tour as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Department of the Army, his final assignment was as Commander, U.S. Army Forces Command from 19 November 2001 until 2004.

Ellis earned a Master of Science degree in Physical Education from Indiana University in 1975.

General Larry Rudell Ellis retired from active Army service on 7 May 2004.

Medals, Awards and Badges

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star
Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Stars
Armed Forces Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 5
NATO Medal (Yugoslavia)
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge
Senior Parachutist Badge
Office of Secretary of Defense Staff Identification Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge

Honors

Ellis received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from Indiana University.

In Retirement

After his retirement from the Army, Ellis became President and CEO of DHB Industries, Inc., a manufacturer of body armor, and has served on the boards of SRA International, the Armed Forces Benefit Association and UNITECH. He is an Associate of Burdeshaw Associates, Ltd., a defense consulting firm.

Personal

Ellis is married to Jean Williams of Baltimore, MD, and they have two adult daughters; Captain Deborah Ellis, U.S. Army, and Renee Ellis.